Outer Banks

The Outer Banks are a stretch of barrier islands along North Carolina's coast and are known for some of the best beaches in the eastern US.

Currituck Banks:

Curritck Banks is the northernmost portion of the Outer Banks, stretching from the Virginia state line to Bodie island.

Carova Beach is the northernmost town on the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  Access requires driving on the beach in a 4WD with deflated tires.

Currituck National Wildlife Refuge protects much of the Currituck Banks between Corolla and Carova Beach.

Corolla is the northernmost town that can be accessed with paved roads.  It's a popular summer vacation destination with miles of sandy beaches.

Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary is a private nature preserve between Corolla and Duck with a 2.5-mile nature trail open to the public.

Bodie Island:

Nags Head is a town on Bodie Island at the eastern end of US-64.

Hatteras Island:

Hatteras Island stretches from Pea Island south to Cape Hatteras and west to Frisco.  The northern portion of the island is part of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore contains much of the land south of Pea Island on this narrow barrier island.

Buxton is the largest community on the island.  The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is here as well as Cape Point.

Bogue Banks:

Bogues Banks is the southern most of the islands that can be considered part of the Outer Banks.  Bogue Banks and the Carteret County beaches are often called the Crystal Coast or Southern Outer Banks to differentiate from the northern islands.

Fort Macon State Park is located at the eastern end of Bogue Banks.  The park protects a historical fort and has 1.5 miles of beach access.

Atlantic Beach is the easternmost town on Bogue Banks with several miles of beach front and public beach access points.